ASHENEWS reports that to enhance public understanding and accountability, the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has organized a training session for journalists in the North-Central region of Nigeria.
The training focused on the Police Act 2020 and related police regulations, addressing a critical gap in media and public awareness of the legislation.
The initiative, held in Abuja during a Media Townhall on Human Rights, the Police Act 2020, and Police Regulations, aimed to equip journalists with insights to demand transparency and accountability from the Nigeria Police Force.
The Executive Director of PWAN, Kemi Okenyodo emphasized the importance of incorporating the Police Act 2020 into media reports, particularly in areas such as arrests, stop-and-search procedures, profiling, gender-related issues, and other key topics.
“The more knowledgeable the media is about the Police Act 2020, the better positioned they are to enlighten the public. This ensures that the Nigeria Police Force operates within the confines of the Act,” Okenyodo said.
She highlighted the media’s role in engaging the public by disseminating information about police activities, operations, and policies. Okenyodo added that similar sensitization efforts would be extended to journalists in other regions to broaden awareness of the Police Act 2020.
Cliff Gai, Programme Lead for the UK Integrated Security Fund Nigeria, lamented the slow progress in implementing the Police Act 2020. He underscored the media’s pivotal role in holding the police accountable and making the provisions of the Act accessible to the public.
“If the Police Act 2020 will make a significant impact in Nigeria, the media must play a critical role. They have the power to lay the foundation for understanding the Act and ensuring that the public knows their rights and what to expect from the police,” Gai stated.
Journalists from Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory participated in the event, gaining knowledge to improve reporting on human rights and police accountability.
The Journalists were taken through the Police Act 2020, what makes it different from past versions of the Act, key aspects of the Act related to Media and the Police, and the role of the media in promoting awareness of the Police Act 2020 by Mr Obiora Nwosu.
There was also a panel discussion on media reporting and mainstreaming of the Police Act especially in the reporting of arrest, stop and search, profiling and other related issues. The panel discussion was moderated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akweya TV, Isu Media Limited, Mr Diego Okenyodo. The panellists include the Publisher, National Record, Onah Iduh, Mr Maliki from Kogi state and the Niger State Correspondent, The Nation Newspaper, Justina Asishana.
This initiative highlights the media’s responsibility to bridge the gap between legislation and public understanding, ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force adheres to its mandate under the Police Act 2020
